Drinking fountain



J. E. M GEE Aug. 29, 1967 DRINKING FOUNTAIN Filed March 12, 1965 INVENTOR. J0$PH E. MCGEE BY z? A W Mor/ g United States Patent 3,338,522 DRINKING FOUNTAIN Joseph E. Mc Gee, P.0. Box 727, Thomaston, Ga. 30286 Filed Mar. 12, 1965, Ser. No. 439,347 v7 Claims. (Cl. 239-24) This invention relates to improvements in a drinking fountain of the portable type.

The drinking fountain of the present invention is such that it can readily be carried with a person, or left at a source of water, and used with said source or another source or drinking water under, at least, slight pressure by successive or different individuals without the necessity of either rinsing or otherwise purifying the same between uses by said difierent individuals.

In other words, the drinking fountain of the present invention is almost impossible of contamination in use and may be employed in the place of the average drinking utensil such as a cup, glass, or the like, generally provided at a point of use such as around the home or in the bathroom.

The principal object, therefore, of the present invention is the provision of a device, which for want of a better term, may be called a Portable Drinking Fountain.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a device for use and accomplishment, as set forth in the preceeding paragraph, but which can be used without inconvenience to the user and in fact with considerable satisfaction.

A further and specific object of the present invention is the provision of a device including means into and through which water will flow under pressure, even under relatively small pressure, and flow from said device in the manner of a fountain so that an individual can readily partake thereof without physical contact therewith and that other individuals can successively use the same without fear of contamination of -or by the proceeding user.

Other objects and advantages of the presentinvention should be readily apparent by reference to the following specification considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and it is to be understood that any modifications may be made in the exact structural details there shown and described, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from or exceeding the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of one form of the drinking fountain of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as seen from the right hand end thereof;

said view being particularly an end elevational view of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged transverse sectional view as seen from line 4-4 on FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, longitudinal view through the operating or fountain end of the device as seen from line 5-5 on-FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary top plan view of a modified form of the operating or fountain end of the device embodying the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary, longitudinal view, similar to FIG. 5 of the modified structure as seen from line 7-7 on FIG. 6.

Throughout the several views of the drawings similar reference characters are employed to denote the same or similar parts.

As seen in the drawings, particularly FIGS. 1 and 2, the device, for want of a better name, portable drinking fountain, is provided at one end with an elongated enlarged head 10 from which extends laterally thereof an elongated handle 11. The head 10 may be, and in effect gives the impression of a bowl shape including a rounded bottom 12 with its outer end 13 substantially semi-circular in plan and considerably larger than its back or inner end 14, which, however, is similarly illustrated as substantially semi-circular in plan. The bowl 10 which as observed in FIG. 2 is substantially semi-spherical having slightly offset relatively flat top portions 15 and 16. The semi-circular ends 13 and 14 of the head 10 are joined at their opposite ends by substantially straight lines which converge toward one another and may be considered, respectively, as the bowl or head sides 17 and 18.

From the foregoing it will be noted that theportable drinking fountain head has a plan view including the relatively large semi-circular end 13 from which converge toward one another sides 17 and 18 to be joined by the relatively small semi-circular end 14; these parts con- I stituting, in effect, the border, in plan, of the head 10.

Upstanding from and encircling the top portion 16 of the head end and following the outer peripheral border of the larger end 13 is an upstanding wall 19 giving to the head 10 a shallow dish-like arrangement above the said upper surface 16. It will be noted that the upstanding wall 19 has its upper surface 20 downwardly and outwardly inclined toward the head border portion 13, wherefore the said wall has its highest portion 21 outwardly of the handle 11 and its lowest portion 22 remote therefrom. The purpose of this arrangement will be subsequently made clear.

The head or bowl end 10 of the drinking fountain is provided interiorly thereof with a generally arcuate passageway 23 which as most clearly illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5 is semi-circular in elevation even though the said passageway 23 is circular in cross-section as illustrated most clearly in FIG. 4. The passageway 23 has an opening at 24 through the bowl top portion 16 adjacent the larger end 13 of the bowl and said passageway 23 has its outlet 25 through the top portion 15 near the smaller end 14 of said head. The passageway 23, while generally longitudinal, follows a circular path, as above noted, and illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5, the said passageway, in fact, has a portion 26, see FIG. 4, that is somewhat arcuate downwardly toward the bottom of the passageway but, see FIG. 1, said passageway portion 26 does, in fact, slightly inwardly or rearwardly extend to substantially the point 27, whereupon the passageway does upwardly and outwardly, as seen in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5 extend and which portion of the passageway is indicated in the drawings by the reference numeral 28. This direction of extent of the passageway changes at approximately the point 29 as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 whereupon the passageway extends upwardly and forwardly as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 with said passageway portion indicated by the reference numeral 30 and terminating in the outlet opening 25.

As was noted above the said bowl 10 is attached through the relatively smaller end 14 with the handle 11, which as shown in FIG. 3, is rectangular in cross-section, and is provided at its outer end with an aperture 31, see FIG. 1. The handle just referred to and described for the drinking fountain head 10 is similar to the handles on most tooth brushes, wherefore the drinking fountain of the present invention may be mounted in the usual tooth brush carried for use after the cleansing of the teeth, or, similar to a tooth brush, the drinking fountain handle may be, through its aperture 31, hung on the usual hanger frequently. provided in bathrooms or the like adjacent the lavatory thereof.

The foregoing description dealt with the specific disclosure in FIGS. 1 to 5, inclusive, which while readily operative and heretofore produced is, particularly from a design point of view, slightly awkward and as a subfountain bowl base portion 16 stitute therefore the construction for the head or bowl end of the device could be as disclosed in FIGS. 6 and 7.

As shown in said FIGS. 6 and 7 the fountain bowl or head 10' while substantially semi-spherical in both longitudinal and transverse cross-sections is provided on its upper end with a top surface 15 which is illustrated as at substantially the upper or high end of the portion of the upstanding rib 20 of FIG. 5.

Forwardly of the said top surface 15' the bowl is provided with a sunken portion 35 which encloses and has the top portion 16 as its base. In other Words the sunken portion 35 in the modified form has its forward end de fined by, what appears to be, a rim 22 of a height somewhat below the bowl top surface portion 15' behind the sunken part rear wall 23.

Disposed within the sunken portion 35 and on the base thereof or bowl top portion 16' is a relatively soft gasket 36 which will afford a better seal, if desired or necessary, between the lower end of the faucet outlet 33 and the or 16 of FIGS. and 7.

It is believed obvious that the modified form of the device as disclosed in FIGS. 6 and 7, structurally, should and does operate in the same manner as the form disclosed in FIGS. 1 to 5 inclusive.

While it is believed that the operation of the drinking fountain of the present invention is readily understood, the said operation is as follows:

The portable drinking fountain is grasped by its handle 11 and has its relatively fiat upper surface portion 16 as seen in FIG. 1 or its washer or gasket as seen in FIG. 7 placed against the lower face 32 of the spigot or faucet discharge end 33 and with said end or lower face 32 of the faucet having its opening substantially centrally exteriorly of the groove inlet 24, as clearly illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7. Preferably the said parts are so arranged that while the faucet valve is closed no flow is effected from the faucet outlet 33. With the parts in this position and a relatively tight fit effected between the face 32 of the fancet discharge tube or end 33 and base 16 of the drinking fountain body of the said faucet is opened thereby causing a water flow under pressure into the passageway 23.

The said flow in the passageway will be substantially downwardly of the head 10 or 10' through the passageway portion 26 even though said flow is somewhat rearwardly to the downward end or portion 27, whereupon the flow of the water is decidedly rearwardly through the passageway portion 28 even though said flow is likewise decidedly upwardly of the bowl. This flow continues until the point 29 in the passageway is reached whereupon the flow is decidedly outwardly of the bowl to and through the opening 25.

In use the user or operator would be forwardly of the drinking fountain as seen in FIGS. 1 and 6 wherefore the water flow through the passageway outlet 25 would be toward the user thereby conveniently permitting the user to utilize the stream of water from the passageway outlet 25 above the head body portion upper surface or 15' as seen in FIGS. 1 and 6. Obviously a certain amount of flow of water will be from the inlet 24 and outlet 25 of the passageway onto the upper surface portions 1515' and 16-16 of the head 10. The main excess flow from the faucet outlet will be contained within the fence or upstanding rim 19 and depression 35 and since the low end 22 and 22' thereof is remote from the user the said overflow will be into the usual receptacle, bathroom lavatory, and from there directed to the used water receptacle, sewer or the like.

Obviously the portable drinking fountain of the present invention may be employed out or doors when the water is downwardly flowing and almost any drop or descent of water would include pressure sufficient to force an amount equal, substantially, to the cross-section of the passageway 23 therethrough and still of sufficient pressure to force a stream of the water from the outlet 25 to a point above and outward of the bowl side, particularly the head defying side portion 18, that the user can use the same for drinking purposes or the like, and without damage, water damage, to himself.

It is believed obvious without further explanation that parts as illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 7 are such that this drinking fountain will be operative, and that the objects initially set forth will be accomplished.

What is claimed is:

1. In a portable drinking fountain the combination of a head having a top surface of a given length and breadth, said head having depth downwardly of it top surface, said head having a passageway therethrough beneath its top surface and extending generally in the direction of the length of the head, an inlet and an outlet through said head top surface respectively at opposite ends of the passageway, said passageway being for the flow of water from its inlet to its outlet, and said passageway for a portion of its length downstream from its outlet formed to extend at an angle laterally of the direction of the general longitudinal extent of the passageway, whereby the Water flow from said outlet is directed in the direction of the breadth of and over the side of the head..

2. In a portable drinking fountain the combination of a head having a top surface of a given length and breadth, said head having depth downwardly of its top surface, said head having a passageway therethrough beneath its top surface and extending generally in the direction of the length of the head, an inlet and an outlet through said head top surface respectively at opposite ends of the passageway, said passageway being for the flow of water from its inlet to its outlet, said passageway for a portion of its length down stream from its outlet formed to extend at an angle laterally of the direction of the general longitudinal extent of the passageway, whereby the water flow from said outlet is directed in the direction of the breadth of and over the side of the head and a handle extending from one end of the head.

3. In a drinking fountain the combination of a head having a pair of substantially flat top surfaces upwardly offset and together forming a top surface of a given length and breadth with the length constituting its longitudinal axis, said lower offset top portion providing a sunken well, an internal passageway arcuately formed interiorly of the head in the direction of the longitudinal axis thereof, an inlet at one end of the passageway through the head offset top portion at the base of the well, an outlet through the said upper offset portion of the top surface at the other end of the internal passageway of the head, means supplying water under pressure, said head being adapted to have its passageway inlet associated with the means supplying water under pressure, said water under pressure following the passageway to its outlet for discharge therefrom, a holding handle at the discharge end of the head, said top surface well having in effect a rim upstanding from the head top surface to confine Water on the top surface of the head and around the passageway inlet, said rim having a low point remote from the handle for enabling the water to escape from the said top surface, and said passageway inwardly and downwardly of its discharge opening extending laterally relative to the head longitudinal axis for discharging water from the passageway outlet end laterally of and over the side of the head.

4. In a drinking fountain the combination of a head having a pair of substantially fiat top surfaces upwardly offset and together forming a top surface of a given length and breadth with the length constituting its longitudinal axis, said lower offset top portion providing a sunken well,

an internal passageway arcuately formed interiorly of the head in the direction of the longitudinal axi thereof, an inlet at one end of the passageway through the head offset top portion at the base of the well, an outlet through the said upper offset portion of the top surface at the other end of the internal passageway of the head, means supplying water under pressure, said head being adapted to have its passageway inlet associated with the means supplying water under pressure, said water under pressure following the passageway to its outlet for discharge therefrom, a holding handle at the discharge end of the head, said top surface well having in effect -a rim upstanding from the head top surface to confine water on the top surface of the head and around the passageway inlet, said rim having a low point remote from the handle for enabling the water to escape from the said head top surface, said passageway inwardly and downwardly of its discharge opening extending laterally relative to the head longitudinal axis for discharging water from the passageway outlet end laterally of and over the side of the head, and a compressible washer within the well on the base thereof.

5. In a drinking fountain the combination of a head having a pair of substantially flat top surfaces upwardly offset and together forming a top surface of a given length and breadth with said length constituting its longitudinal axis, said lower offset top portion providing a sunken well with a fiat base including one of the upwardly offset top surfaces with said well base including an upstanding rim, an internal passageway arcuately formed interiorly of the head in the direction of the longitudinal axis thereof, an inlet at one end of the passageway through the base of the well, an 'outlet through the upper offset portion of the top surface at the other end of the internal passageway of the head, means supplying water under pressure, said head being adapted to have its passageway inlet associated with said means supplying water under pressure, said water under pressure following the passageway to its outlet for discharge therefrom, a holding handle at the discharge end of the head, said sunken well base being larger than the means supplying water under pressure and said well base rim upstanding from the well b'ase being outwardly 'of the water supplying means to confine water on the top surface of the head and around the passageway inlet, and said rim having a low point remote from the handle for enabling the water to escape from the well base.

6. In a drinking fountain the combination of a head having a substantially flat top surface of a given length and breadth, an internal passageway arcuately formed interiorly of the head in the direction of the length or 'longitudial axis thereof, an inlet at one end of the head through its top surface to the passageway therein, an outlet through the said top surface at the other end of the internal passageway of the head, means supplying water under pressure, said head being adapted to have its passageway inlet associated with said means supplying water under pressure, said water under pressure following the passageway to its outlet for discharge therefrom, a holding handle at the discharge end of the passageway, said head flat top surface being larger than the water supplying means, and a rim upwardly extending from the head surface outwardly of the water supplying means to confine the water to the top surface of the head, and said rim having a low point remote from the handle for discharging the water from the said head top surface.

7. In a drinking fountain the combination of a head having a substantially flat top surface of a given length and breadth, an internal passageway arcuately formed interiorly of the head in the direction of the length or longitudinal axis thereof, an inlet at one end of the head through its top surface to the passageway therein, an outlet through the said top surface at the other end of the internal passageway of the head, means supplying water under pressure, said head being adapted to have its passageway inlet associated with said means supplying water under pressure, said water under pressure following the passageway to its outlet for discharge therefrom, a holding handle at the discharge end of the passageway, said head fiat top surface being larger than the water supplying means, a rim upwardly extending from the head surface outwardly of the water supplying means to confine the water to the top surface of the head, said n'm having a low point remote from the handle for discharging the water from the said top surface, and said passageway downstream of its discharge opening extending laterally relative to the head length or longitudinal axis for discharging water from the passageway outlet laterally in the direction of the breadth of the head over a side of the head.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,781,599 11/1930 Quisling 239-25 2,956,749 10/1960 Perry 239-24 M. HENSON WOOD, JR., Primary Examiner. V. M. WIGMAN, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A PORTABLE DRINKING FOUNTAIN THE COMBINATION OF A HEAD HAVING A TOP SURFACE OF A GIVEN LENGH AND BENEATH, SAID HEAD HAVING DEPTH DOWNWARDLY OF ITS TOP SURFACE, AND HEAD HAVING A PASSAGEWAY THERETHROUGH BENEATH ITS TOP SURFACE AND EXTENDING GENERALLY IN THE DIRECTION OF THE LENGTH OF THE HEAD, AN INLET AND AN OUTLET THROUGH SAID HEAD TOP SURFACE RESPECTIVELY AT OPPOSITE END OF THE PASSAGEWAY, SAID PASSAGEWAY BEING FOR THE FLOW OF WATER FROM ITS INLET TO ITS OUTLET, AND SAID PASSAGEWAY FOR A PORTION OF ITS LENGTH DOWNSTREAN FROM ITS OUTLET FORMED TO EXTEND AT AN ANGLE LATERALLY OF THE DIRECTION OF THE GENERAL LONGITUDINAL EXTENT OF THE PASSAGEWAY, WHEREBY THE WATER FLOW FROM SAID OUTLET IS DIRECTED IN THE DIRECTION OF THE BREADTH OF AND OVER THE SIDE OF THE HEAD. 